GITNUXREPORT 2026

Family Violence Statistics

Family violence is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of women.

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Men aged 18-24 account for 27% of all family violence perpetrators in Australia

Statistic 2

In the U.S., 85-95% of domestic violence victims are women abused by male partners, implying male majority perpetrators

Statistic 3

Alcohol use is associated with 40-60% of intimate partner violence incidents by male perpetrators

Statistic 4

In Australia, 88% of family violence police call-outs involve male perpetrators against female victims

Statistic 5

Perpetrators aged 25-34 commit 30% of domestic homicides in the U.S.

Statistic 6

Unemployed men are 2.5 times more likely to perpetrate IPV

Statistic 7

In the UK, 97% of domestic abuse perpetrators proceeded against are male

Statistic 8

Male perpetrators with criminal histories commit 70% of repeat IPV offenses

Statistic 9

In Canada, 80% of spousal violence offenders are male

Statistic 10

Fathers perpetrate 50% of child abuse in homes with domestic violence

Statistic 11

In India, men with no education perpetrate spousal violence at 52%

Statistic 12

Ex-partners commit 37% of female homicides by intimate partners, often male

Statistic 13

In Australia, Indigenous men are perpetrators in 40% of Indigenous family violence cases

Statistic 14

Male military personnel have 2-4 times higher perpetration rates of IPV

Statistic 15

In the U.S., 22% of male perpetrators report using weapons in IPV assaults

Statistic 16

Perpetrators with mental health issues like PTSD perpetrate 25% more severe violence

Statistic 17

In Brazil, male partners under 30 perpetrate 45% of IPV against adolescents

Statistic 18

Rural male perpetrators in the U.S. use firearms in 57% of female homicides

Statistic 19

In South Africa, male perpetrators with multiple partners increase HIV-related violence

Statistic 20

60% of male perpetrators witnessed DV in childhood

Statistic 21

In the EU, low-educated male partners perpetrate violence at higher rates (25%)

Statistic 22

Immigrant men in Canada perpetrate spousal violence at 12% vs 8% Canadian-born

Statistic 23

Male abusers control finances in 98% of cases reported to U.S. shelters

Statistic 24

In New Zealand, 85% of family violence prosecutions involve male offenders

Statistic 25

Perpetrators using coercive control are 90% male in UK cases

Statistic 26

In the U.S., bisexual male perpetrators report higher aggression rates

Statistic 27

Disabled male perpetrators show 1.5 times higher recidivism

Statistic 28

In Australia, 75% of male perpetrators have prior police contact for violence

Statistic 29

Adolescent male perpetrators (15-19) commit 20% of teen dating violence

Statistic 30

In the UK, 18-24 year old males are arrested for DA at twice the average rate

Statistic 31

Women aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of family violence victimization at 12.1 victims per 1,000 persons in Australia

Statistic 32

In the U.S., 91.8% of victims of intimate partner violence are female

Statistic 33

Black women are 35% more likely to experience domestic violence than white women

Statistic 34

94% of intimate partner violence perpetrators are male

Statistic 35

Indigenous women in Australia are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women

Statistic 36

In the U.S., 1 in 3 Asian women report experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime

Statistic 37

LGBTQ+ individuals experience domestic violence at rates 2-3 times higher than the general population

Statistic 38

In Canada, 61% of female victims of spousal violence are between 25-44 years old

Statistic 39

Pregnant women are more than twice as likely to be victims of homicide compared to non-pregnant women

Statistic 40

In the UK, 73% of domestic abuse-related sexual offences victims were female

Statistic 41

Hispanic women in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence at a rate of 10.4%

Statistic 42

Elderly women over 60 in the U.S. experience a 21% lifetime rate of intimate partner violence

Statistic 43

In Australia, women from non-English speaking backgrounds are 2.7 times more likely to experience family violence

Statistic 44

Transgender individuals face domestic violence rates up to 50% higher than cisgender individuals

Statistic 45

In India, 40% of women aged 15-49 from scheduled castes experience spousal violence

Statistic 46

Rural women in the U.S. are 1.4 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than urban women

Statistic 47

In South Africa, 40% of female-headed households report violence

Statistic 48

Women with disabilities are 40% more likely to experience domestic violence

Statistic 49

In the EU, women with lower education levels experience partner violence at 27% vs 13% for higher educated

Statistic 50

Muslim women in Western countries report higher rates of IPV at 53%

Statistic 51

In Brazil, 13.5% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 experience partner violence

Statistic 52

Separated/divorced women in Australia experience family violence at rates 7 times higher than married women

Statistic 53

In the U.S., Native American/Alaska Native women experience murder due to IPV at 10 times the rate of white women

Statistic 54

Low-income women in the U.S. report IPV at 27.6% lifetime prevalence

Statistic 55

In Canada, immigrant women experience spousal violence at 34% vs 27% for non-immigrants

Statistic 56

Women in polygamous marriages experience 3.7 times higher violence risk

Statistic 57

In the UK, 77% of DA victims seeking help are women aged 16-59

Statistic 58

Teen dating violence affects 1 in 11 girls and 1 in 15 boys aged 12-18 in the U.S.

Statistic 59

In New Zealand, Pacific women experience family violence hospitalisations at 4 times the rate of European women

Statistic 60

84% of family violence victims assisted by services in Australia are women

Statistic 61

In the U.S., bisexual women experience IPV at 61.1% lifetime rate

Statistic 62

75% of calls to U.S. domestic violence hotlines are from women

Statistic 63

IPV victims are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety

Statistic 64

Women experiencing IPV have 16% greater risk of HIV infection

Statistic 65

42% of women who experienced violence report injuries requiring medical attention

Statistic 66

IPV during pregnancy leads to 50% increased risk of low birth weight babies

Statistic 67

Female victims of IPV are 2.3 times more likely to experience poor health

Statistic 68

Children witnessing DV are 50% more likely to develop behavioral problems

Statistic 69

IPV survivors have 80% higher risk of heart disease

Statistic 70

40-60% of IPV victims suffer PTSD symptoms

Statistic 71

In Australia, family violence causes 41,000 hospitalisations annually, mostly women

Statistic 72

Suicide attempt risk is 3.5 times higher for IPV victims

Statistic 73

35% of battered women present to emergency departments for related injuries

Statistic 74

Child victims of family violence have 74% higher chronic illness risk

Statistic 75

IPV linked to 25% increased stroke risk in women

Statistic 76

67% of IPV sexual assault victims develop long-term psychological issues

Statistic 77

Asthma exacerbations increase by 50% in children exposed to DV

Statistic 78

Elderly victims experience 20% higher mortality from injuries

Statistic 79

50% of female homicide victims die from IPV-related strangulation attempts

Statistic 80

Substance abuse disorders are 7 times higher in IPV victims

Statistic 81

In the EU, 68% of women report mental health impacts from partner violence

Statistic 82

Pregnancy IPV increases miscarriage risk by 40%

Statistic 83

30% of cancer cases in women linked to early-life DV exposure

Statistic 84

Male victims report 40% higher alcohol dependence post-IPV

Statistic 85

Children of DV homes have 3 times higher obesity risk

Statistic 86

55% of IPV victims miss work due to injuries/mental health

Statistic 87

Neurological damage from repeated head trauma in 62% of chronic victims

Statistic 88

Immune system suppression leads to 24% more infections in victims

Statistic 89

45% of survivors develop chronic pain syndromes

Statistic 90

Eating disorders 2 times higher in teen DV victims

Statistic 91

70% of stalked victims suffer severe emotional distress

Statistic 92

Sleep disorders affect 60% of IPV survivors long-term

Statistic 93

Diabetes risk increases by 37% for female IPV victims

Statistic 94

28% of U.S. employers report productivity loss from DV at $8.3 billion annually

Statistic 95

Only 34% of U.S. states have mandatory arrest policies for DV misdemeanors

Statistic 96

In Australia, family violence legislation covers 90% of states with protection orders

Statistic 97

U.S. VAWA reauthorization in 2022 increased funding by 20% to $1.85 billion for DV services

Statistic 98

Hotline calls in the U.S. increased 27% during COVID-19 lockdowns to over 1 million

Statistic 99

In the UK, Clare's Law checks reached 200,000 disclosures by 2023

Statistic 100

Batterer intervention programs reduce recidivism by 33% on average

Statistic 101

In Canada, 75% of provinces have specialized DV courts

Statistic 102

Global funding for VAWG programs reached $5.2 billion in 2022

Statistic 103

U.S. shelter capacity meets only 35% of demand for DV victims

Statistic 104

In Australia, risk assessment tools used in 95% of police DV responses

Statistic 105

Pro-arrest policies increased victim reporting by 60% in some U.S. cities

Statistic 106

EU Istanbul Convention ratified by 22 countries, mandating DV prevention

Statistic 107

In India, One Stop Centres assisted 7.79 lakh women since 2015

Statistic 108

DV conviction rates in the U.S. average 50-70% for prosecuted cases

Statistic 109

Telehealth counseling for DV victims increased 300% post-COVID

Statistic 110

In New Zealand, Family Violence Act 2018 integrated responses across agencies

Statistic 111

Gun removal laws in 7 U.S. states reduced DV homicides by 10%

Statistic 112

School-based DV prevention programs reduce dating violence by 50%

Statistic 113

In Brazil, Maria da Penha Law increased convictions by 40% since 2006

Statistic 114

U.S. child welfare referrals for DV homes up 20% with new screening

Statistic 115

Workplace DV policies adopted by 60% of Fortune 500 companies

Statistic 116

In South Africa, Thuthuzela Care Centres handled 50,000 cases since 2006

Statistic 117

Digital tracking apps for protection orders used in 15 U.S. states

Statistic 118

Global helpline accessibility improved with 500+ VAWG hotlines

Statistic 119

Recidivism drops 64% with electronic monitoring of DV offenders

Statistic 120

In the EU, victim support services funded for 90% of member states

Statistic 121

U.S. restraining order violations lead to arrest in only 50% of cases

Statistic 122

Community awareness campaigns reduced tolerance for DV by 25% in pilots

Statistic 123

Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime

Statistic 124

In the United States, more than 12 million people over the age of 18, excluding both current and former intimate partners, experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking each year

Statistic 125

Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime

Statistic 126

In Australia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have experienced an incident of physical and/or sexual violence from a cohabiting partner since the age of 15

Statistic 127

In the EU, 22% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner since the age of 15

Statistic 128

Globally, 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners

Statistic 129

In India, 30% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15

Statistic 130

In the UK, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 to 1 in 10 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime

Statistic 131

In Canada, 44% of women and 42% of men have experienced at least one incident of emotional or psychological abuse from a partner

Statistic 132

In South Africa, 28% of ever-partnered women aged 18-49 experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner in the past 12 months

Statistic 133

In Brazil, 10% of women reported physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months

Statistic 134

In the U.S., 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime

Statistic 135

In England and Wales, police recorded 1,101,303 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2023

Statistic 136

In New Zealand, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men have experienced intimate partner violence

Statistic 137

In Mexico, 43.9% of women have suffered some form of violence from their partners

Statistic 138

In Russia, every 5th woman has been subjected to physical violence by a partner

Statistic 139

In Egypt, 31% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence from a husband at least once

Statistic 140

In the Philippines, 18.7% of women aged 15-49 experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from a husband/partner

Statistic 141

In Turkey, 38% of women have experienced physical violence at least once since age 15

Statistic 142

In Kenya, 38% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15

Statistic 143

In the U.S., about 10 million adults experience domestic violence each year

Statistic 144

In Europe, 1 in 10 women experience rape or attempted rape by a partner

Statistic 145

In Japan, 23.4% of women have experienced intimate partner violence

Statistic 146

In Colombia, 37.1% of women aged 13-49 have suffered partner violence

Statistic 147

In Peru, 51.3% of women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime

Statistic 148

In Nigeria, 30% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence

Statistic 149

In Bangladesh, 54.3% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence from husbands

Statistic 150

In the U.S., 1 in 15 women and 1 in 38 men have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence

Statistic 151

In Scotland, 63,835 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by Police Scotland in 2022-23

Statistic 152

Nearly half (49%) of all homicides of women globally are committed by intimate partners or family members

Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Behind the closed doors of every nation, from the United States to India, Brazil to Australia, lies a staggering global epidemic: one in three women worldwide have endured physical or sexual violence, a silent crisis that cuts across every culture, age, and background.

Key Takeaways

  • Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
  • In the United States, more than 12 million people over the age of 18, excluding both current and former intimate partners, experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking each year
  • Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime
  • Women aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of family violence victimization at 12.1 victims per 1,000 persons in Australia
  • In the U.S., 91.8% of victims of intimate partner violence are female
  • Black women are 35% more likely to experience domestic violence than white women
  • Men aged 18-24 account for 27% of all family violence perpetrators in Australia
  • In the U.S., 85-95% of domestic violence victims are women abused by male partners, implying male majority perpetrators
  • Alcohol use is associated with 40-60% of intimate partner violence incidents by male perpetrators
  • IPV victims are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety
  • Women experiencing IPV have 16% greater risk of HIV infection
  • 42% of women who experienced violence report injuries requiring medical attention
  • Only 34% of U.S. states have mandatory arrest policies for DV misdemeanors
  • In Australia, family violence legislation covers 90% of states with protection orders
  • U.S. VAWA reauthorization in 2022 increased funding by 20% to $1.85 billion for DV services

Family violence is a devastating global epidemic affecting millions of women.

Demographics of Perpetrators

  • Men aged 18-24 account for 27% of all family violence perpetrators in Australia
  • In the U.S., 85-95% of domestic violence victims are women abused by male partners, implying male majority perpetrators
  • Alcohol use is associated with 40-60% of intimate partner violence incidents by male perpetrators
  • In Australia, 88% of family violence police call-outs involve male perpetrators against female victims
  • Perpetrators aged 25-34 commit 30% of domestic homicides in the U.S.
  • Unemployed men are 2.5 times more likely to perpetrate IPV
  • In the UK, 97% of domestic abuse perpetrators proceeded against are male
  • Male perpetrators with criminal histories commit 70% of repeat IPV offenses
  • In Canada, 80% of spousal violence offenders are male
  • Fathers perpetrate 50% of child abuse in homes with domestic violence
  • In India, men with no education perpetrate spousal violence at 52%
  • Ex-partners commit 37% of female homicides by intimate partners, often male
  • In Australia, Indigenous men are perpetrators in 40% of Indigenous family violence cases
  • Male military personnel have 2-4 times higher perpetration rates of IPV
  • In the U.S., 22% of male perpetrators report using weapons in IPV assaults
  • Perpetrators with mental health issues like PTSD perpetrate 25% more severe violence
  • In Brazil, male partners under 30 perpetrate 45% of IPV against adolescents
  • Rural male perpetrators in the U.S. use firearms in 57% of female homicides
  • In South Africa, male perpetrators with multiple partners increase HIV-related violence
  • 60% of male perpetrators witnessed DV in childhood
  • In the EU, low-educated male partners perpetrate violence at higher rates (25%)
  • Immigrant men in Canada perpetrate spousal violence at 12% vs 8% Canadian-born
  • Male abusers control finances in 98% of cases reported to U.S. shelters
  • In New Zealand, 85% of family violence prosecutions involve male offenders
  • Perpetrators using coercive control are 90% male in UK cases
  • In the U.S., bisexual male perpetrators report higher aggression rates
  • Disabled male perpetrators show 1.5 times higher recidivism
  • In Australia, 75% of male perpetrators have prior police contact for violence
  • Adolescent male perpetrators (15-19) commit 20% of teen dating violence
  • In the UK, 18-24 year old males are arrested for DA at twice the average rate

Demographics of Perpetrators Interpretation

While these statistics undeniably expose a pervasive and sobering pattern of male violence across cultures, they ultimately tell us less about manhood itself and more about the toxic convergence of unchecked aggression, societal permission, and systemic failure that too many men are both conditioned by and held captive to.

Demographics of Victims

  • Women aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of family violence victimization at 12.1 victims per 1,000 persons in Australia
  • In the U.S., 91.8% of victims of intimate partner violence are female
  • Black women are 35% more likely to experience domestic violence than white women
  • 94% of intimate partner violence perpetrators are male
  • Indigenous women in Australia are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women
  • In the U.S., 1 in 3 Asian women report experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
  • LGBTQ+ individuals experience domestic violence at rates 2-3 times higher than the general population
  • In Canada, 61% of female victims of spousal violence are between 25-44 years old
  • Pregnant women are more than twice as likely to be victims of homicide compared to non-pregnant women
  • In the UK, 73% of domestic abuse-related sexual offences victims were female
  • Hispanic women in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence at a rate of 10.4%
  • Elderly women over 60 in the U.S. experience a 21% lifetime rate of intimate partner violence
  • In Australia, women from non-English speaking backgrounds are 2.7 times more likely to experience family violence
  • Transgender individuals face domestic violence rates up to 50% higher than cisgender individuals
  • In India, 40% of women aged 15-49 from scheduled castes experience spousal violence
  • Rural women in the U.S. are 1.4 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than urban women
  • In South Africa, 40% of female-headed households report violence
  • Women with disabilities are 40% more likely to experience domestic violence
  • In the EU, women with lower education levels experience partner violence at 27% vs 13% for higher educated
  • Muslim women in Western countries report higher rates of IPV at 53%
  • In Brazil, 13.5% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 experience partner violence
  • Separated/divorced women in Australia experience family violence at rates 7 times higher than married women
  • In the U.S., Native American/Alaska Native women experience murder due to IPV at 10 times the rate of white women
  • Low-income women in the U.S. report IPV at 27.6% lifetime prevalence
  • In Canada, immigrant women experience spousal violence at 34% vs 27% for non-immigrants
  • Women in polygamous marriages experience 3.7 times higher violence risk
  • In the UK, 77% of DA victims seeking help are women aged 16-59
  • Teen dating violence affects 1 in 11 girls and 1 in 15 boys aged 12-18 in the U.S.
  • In New Zealand, Pacific women experience family violence hospitalisations at 4 times the rate of European women
  • 84% of family violence victims assisted by services in Australia are women
  • In the U.S., bisexual women experience IPV at 61.1% lifetime rate
  • 75% of calls to U.S. domestic violence hotlines are from women

Demographics of Victims Interpretation

While the data presents a grim statistical chorus of pain, the universal refrain remains a sobering truth: women across every demographic are bearing the brunt of a global epidemic where home is often the most dangerous place they can be.

Health and Psychological Impacts

  • IPV victims are 1.5 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety
  • Women experiencing IPV have 16% greater risk of HIV infection
  • 42% of women who experienced violence report injuries requiring medical attention
  • IPV during pregnancy leads to 50% increased risk of low birth weight babies
  • Female victims of IPV are 2.3 times more likely to experience poor health
  • Children witnessing DV are 50% more likely to develop behavioral problems
  • IPV survivors have 80% higher risk of heart disease
  • 40-60% of IPV victims suffer PTSD symptoms
  • In Australia, family violence causes 41,000 hospitalisations annually, mostly women
  • Suicide attempt risk is 3.5 times higher for IPV victims
  • 35% of battered women present to emergency departments for related injuries
  • Child victims of family violence have 74% higher chronic illness risk
  • IPV linked to 25% increased stroke risk in women
  • 67% of IPV sexual assault victims develop long-term psychological issues
  • Asthma exacerbations increase by 50% in children exposed to DV
  • Elderly victims experience 20% higher mortality from injuries
  • 50% of female homicide victims die from IPV-related strangulation attempts
  • Substance abuse disorders are 7 times higher in IPV victims
  • In the EU, 68% of women report mental health impacts from partner violence
  • Pregnancy IPV increases miscarriage risk by 40%
  • 30% of cancer cases in women linked to early-life DV exposure
  • Male victims report 40% higher alcohol dependence post-IPV
  • Children of DV homes have 3 times higher obesity risk
  • 55% of IPV victims miss work due to injuries/mental health
  • Neurological damage from repeated head trauma in 62% of chronic victims
  • Immune system suppression leads to 24% more infections in victims
  • 45% of survivors develop chronic pain syndromes
  • Eating disorders 2 times higher in teen DV victims
  • 70% of stalked victims suffer severe emotional distress
  • Sleep disorders affect 60% of IPV survivors long-term
  • Diabetes risk increases by 37% for female IPV victims
  • 28% of U.S. employers report productivity loss from DV at $8.3 billion annually

Health and Psychological Impacts Interpretation

The body keeps the score in a brutal ledger where violence at home manifests as depression, disease, and a cascade of shattered health across lifetimes.

Interventions, Policies, and Trends

  • Only 34% of U.S. states have mandatory arrest policies for DV misdemeanors
  • In Australia, family violence legislation covers 90% of states with protection orders
  • U.S. VAWA reauthorization in 2022 increased funding by 20% to $1.85 billion for DV services
  • Hotline calls in the U.S. increased 27% during COVID-19 lockdowns to over 1 million
  • In the UK, Clare's Law checks reached 200,000 disclosures by 2023
  • Batterer intervention programs reduce recidivism by 33% on average
  • In Canada, 75% of provinces have specialized DV courts
  • Global funding for VAWG programs reached $5.2 billion in 2022
  • U.S. shelter capacity meets only 35% of demand for DV victims
  • In Australia, risk assessment tools used in 95% of police DV responses
  • Pro-arrest policies increased victim reporting by 60% in some U.S. cities
  • EU Istanbul Convention ratified by 22 countries, mandating DV prevention
  • In India, One Stop Centres assisted 7.79 lakh women since 2015
  • DV conviction rates in the U.S. average 50-70% for prosecuted cases
  • Telehealth counseling for DV victims increased 300% post-COVID
  • In New Zealand, Family Violence Act 2018 integrated responses across agencies
  • Gun removal laws in 7 U.S. states reduced DV homicides by 10%
  • School-based DV prevention programs reduce dating violence by 50%
  • In Brazil, Maria da Penha Law increased convictions by 40% since 2006
  • U.S. child welfare referrals for DV homes up 20% with new screening
  • Workplace DV policies adopted by 60% of Fortune 500 companies
  • In South Africa, Thuthuzela Care Centres handled 50,000 cases since 2006
  • Digital tracking apps for protection orders used in 15 U.S. states
  • Global helpline accessibility improved with 500+ VAWG hotlines
  • Recidivism drops 64% with electronic monitoring of DV offenders
  • In the EU, victim support services funded for 90% of member states
  • U.S. restraining order violations lead to arrest in only 50% of cases
  • Community awareness campaigns reduced tolerance for DV by 25% in pilots

Interventions, Policies, and Trends Interpretation

The statistics reveal a global patchwork of progress and peril, where hard-won gains in victim support and prevention are constantly strained by inadequate funding, inconsistent laws, and the sheer, unrelenting scale of the crisis.

Prevalence and Incidence

  • Globally, 1 in 3 women (about 736 million) worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
  • In the United States, more than 12 million people over the age of 18, excluding both current and former intimate partners, experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking each year
  • Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime
  • In Australia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have experienced an incident of physical and/or sexual violence from a cohabiting partner since the age of 15
  • In the EU, 22% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner since the age of 15
  • Globally, 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners
  • In India, 30% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15
  • In the UK, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 to 1 in 10 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
  • In Canada, 44% of women and 42% of men have experienced at least one incident of emotional or psychological abuse from a partner
  • In South Africa, 28% of ever-partnered women aged 18-49 experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner in the past 12 months
  • In Brazil, 10% of women reported physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months
  • In the U.S., 48.4% of women and 48.8% of men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime
  • In England and Wales, police recorded 1,101,303 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2023
  • In New Zealand, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men have experienced intimate partner violence
  • In Mexico, 43.9% of women have suffered some form of violence from their partners
  • In Russia, every 5th woman has been subjected to physical violence by a partner
  • In Egypt, 31% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence from a husband at least once
  • In the Philippines, 18.7% of women aged 15-49 experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from a husband/partner
  • In Turkey, 38% of women have experienced physical violence at least once since age 15
  • In Kenya, 38% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since age 15
  • In the U.S., about 10 million adults experience domestic violence each year
  • In Europe, 1 in 10 women experience rape or attempted rape by a partner
  • In Japan, 23.4% of women have experienced intimate partner violence
  • In Colombia, 37.1% of women aged 13-49 have suffered partner violence
  • In Peru, 51.3% of women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime
  • In Nigeria, 30% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence
  • In Bangladesh, 54.3% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence from husbands
  • In the U.S., 1 in 15 women and 1 in 38 men have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence
  • In Scotland, 63,835 incidents of domestic abuse were recorded by Police Scotland in 2022-23
  • Nearly half (49%) of all homicides of women globally are committed by intimate partners or family members

Prevalence and Incidence Interpretation

These numbers are not merely a global statistic; they are the dark arithmetic of a worldwide emergency, adding up to a devastating sum of human suffering that demands our urgent and unwavering attention.

Sources & References